The authors of what has become the most talked about book in Charlotte – “Jacob’s New Dress” – have a message for the conservative groups that have labeled their children’s story a threat to “traditional family values.”

“The idea that a book can turn someone gay or transgender is bizarre to us. Reading a book can’t turn you gay,” said Sarah Hoffman, who wrote the book with her husband, Ian Hoffman.

Front cover of Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman.Glassberg, Ronnie

“If a white kid reads a book about Martin Luther King Jr., will they become black? This book is about a little boy who wears a dress, something outside of traditional gender roles, much like the idea of a girl wearing pants was 100 years ago. It’s about following your heart.”

The couple have watched with dismay from the sidelines this week as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials bowed to conservative outrage and reversed plans to use the book in all first-grade classes. Much of the opposition came from Republicans in the state General

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